When my 13 year old dog, Spirit, died, my parents said "no more pets". As an animal lover, I was heartbroken. Nothing is better than a playful bark and slobbery toy tossed in your lap or the antics of a purr-machine.
A month later, my father was diagnosed with cancer. It wasn't fair that Spirit was gone when we needed him so badly. Months passed quickly in this surreal world.I graduated college and didn't even care.
He got worse, and I simply said, "I won't survive this without a pet". I was "just looking" at cats visiting from a shelter in the pet store. I saw soft black fur and bright green eyes, fell in love, and picked him up the very next day. Binx adapted beautifully and promptly chose me as his human. My daddy passed a few days later. I would not have survived without Binx and his quiet, loving presence.
Fate thought I could use another cat. While walking one night, I called to a cat in the street and she hopped right over to me like an excited bunny and purred as I pet her. I could feel her bony frame. I happened to have my carrier in my car (coincidence?) It took some doing to get her in but she never scratched or hissed. I swore to my mom that I'd find her a home. I quarantined her in a bathroom and she devours a ton of food and water before rubbing on my legs and purring. My mom decided the cat is sleeping in her room. The next morning she asked, "what are we going to do?" I replied, "I guess we're keeping her."
Amelia is now healthy and generally an adorable nightmare. Her greatest joys are ambushing Binx and watching the toilet being flushed. She LOVES us and the comfort of being indoors. Amelia was the girl who waited for someone to stop and take her to her forever home.
My mom gets better each day. They keep her smiling and laughing and they are a great comfort to me. Who rescued who?
Plantation, FL
